Verbs are the heartbeat of any conversation — you need them to share a story, ask a question, or just order your favorite coffee. This list rounds up around 1,000 common English verbs that you’ll actually hear and use every day. No dusty textbook filler, just action words that keep your sentences moving. Put these common verbs to work while reading Hansel and Gretel at A2 level.
Inside the interactive table, you’ll get US IPA for clear pronunciation, a plain-English meaning, and a real-world example sentence. There’s also a play button next to every word, so you can listen as you learn — your ears need practice too.
Ready to level up your everyday English without the yawns? Scroll to the bottom of the article for the free printable common english verbs vocabulary list PDF and the free downloadable printable common english verbs flashcards.
Verbs alone won’t make you fluent, though. You need chunks you can actually speak. Our free English lessons teach you practical phrases with audio and speaking practice — start at the intro page or jump straight into Lesson 1: First Greetings.
Quick Quiz
<p>Think you already know a bunch of these? Try the quick quiz below to test yourself, then use the table to plug any gaps.</p>
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| Word | IPA | Meaning | Example | Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deserve | /dɪˈzɜrv/ | To have earned or to be given something because of the way you have behaved or the qualities you have | He deserves a reward for his hard work. | |
| design | /dɪˈzaɪn/ | to plan and create something | They design websites for small businesses. | |
| designed | /dɪˈzaɪnd/ | planned how something should look or work | She designed a simple poster for class. | |
| Destroy | /dɪˈstrɔɪ/ | To damage something so badly that it cannot be used | The building was destroyed by the fire. | |
| Detect | /dɪˈtɛkt/ | To notice something that is partly hidden or not clear | The alarm detects smoke. | |
| Determine | /dɪˈtɜːrmɪn/ | To control or influence something directly, or to decide what will happen | Your attitude determines your success. | |
| Develop | /dɪˈvɛlɒp/ | To grow or change into something bigger | The village has developed into a town. | |
| developed | /dɪˈvɛləpt/ | grew or became more advanced | The town developed very quickly. | |
| Devote | /dɪˈvoʊt/ | To give all of something, especially your time, effort, or love, or yourself, to something you believe in | He devoted his life to helping others. | |
| Dial | /ˈdaɪəl/ | To operate a phone or make a phone call to someone by choosing a particular series of numbers | Dial 911 in an emergency. | |
| did | /dɪd/ | past form of "do" | They did their homework last night. | |
| Die | /daɪ/ | To stop living | Flowers die without water. | |
| Differ | /ˈdɪfər/ | To be not like something or someone else, either physically or in another way | Our opinions differ on this topic. | |
| Dig | /dɪɡ/ | To break up and move soil using a tool, a machine, or your hands | The dog is digging a hole in the garden. | |
| direct | /dəˈrɛkt/ | guide or control something | She will direct the new project. | |
| directed | /dəˈrɛktɪd/ | guided, aimed, or managed something | The officer directed traffic after the accident. | |
| Disagree | /ˌdɪsəˈɡri/ | To have a different opinion | I strongly disagree with his idea. | |
| Disappear | /ˌdɪsəˈpɪr/ | To become impossible to see | The sun disappeared behind a cloud. | |
| Disappoint | /ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪnt/ | To make someone feel sad because something was not as good as expected | I don't want to disappoint my parents. | |
| Discover | /dɪsˈkʌvər/ | To find information or a place for the first time | Scientists discovered a new planet. | |
| discovered | /dɪˈskʌvərd/ | found something for the first time | Scientists discovered a new species in the forest. | |
| Discuss | /dɪsˈkʌs/ | To talk about a subject with someone | We need to discuss the new project. | |
| discussed | /dɪˈskʌst/ | talked about something with others | We discussed our travel plans over dinner. | |
| Dismiss | /dɪsˈmɪs/ | To decide that something or someone is not important and not worth considering | He dismissed the idea as impossible. | |
| Display | /dɪsˈpleɪ/ | To arrange something or a collection of things so that it can be seen by the public | The museum displays modern art. |
Free Common English Verbs PDF and Flashcards to Download
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